Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-23
BLAINE is STILL GOD.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DEACON RICHARD
SMITH OF CINCINNATI
In Regard TO the Alleged Sherman Deal Between
Hun and Whitalaw Rsid-Tbs Combined
Influence Of the Republican Press Could
Not Defeat Jimmy G.

CINCINNATI, April 22.-With reference
to reports published in Eastern papers IN
regard to the alleged letter from WhiteiaW
Ried to Richard Smith, saying that the
Tribune had arrived at the conclusion to
abandon Blaine for the nomination Tor the
Presidency and support John Sherman the
representative of the Associated Press
called upon Mr.. Richard Smith and asked
him in regard to the matter. Mr.. Smith
said he had noticed the statement in the
press, but knowing there was no such
correspondence and discovering that some
people felt that it did them good to keep
rumors afloat, he did not care to disturb
their happiness, and he had, therefore, in
a spirit of amusement, decided not to
write card or say anything aboutit he
felt that what Mr.. Reid wrote or said to
him was nobOdy's business. However, as
there seemed to be some interest at
tached to it he had no objection to an
swering such questions as the reporter
might ask, and said: "Go ahead"
Thereupon the interview proceeded:
Reporter-''What about that Reid letter
which you received?"
R.S.-What letter."
Reporter-"The letter described by
Washington correspondent of the New
York EreRiRg Post, in which Reid said that
the time has come at last for Mr.. Blaine to
let 90 his grip upon the Republican party
as far as the Presidency is concerned, and
for all hands to turn in and nominate
John Sherman, and that all that
was necessary to cause the Tribune to
swing into line was the positive assurance
that Sherman was going into the conven-
ton with solid delegation from Ohio"
r. ST never got any such letter
from him, and do not believe he ever
wrote any such letter"
Rep.-"Is he as hostile to Sherman as
ever, them"
r. S.-'No; he is
NOT HOSTILE TO SHERMAN AT ALL.
In fact, don't think he ever was. He
told me that he would support Sherman
with the greatest pleasure, if, when the
time came, he should be thought the best
nominee"
Rep.-''So he is weakening on Blaine
then, is he?"
r. Swell, should hardly say that.
You can Judge, however, from the last con-
versatiOn l had with him when / was in
New York a few weeks ago. told him
that it would he better politics to nomin-
ate Sherman than Blaine. He said: Very
well, we certainly shan't fight Sherman.
If you can get the majority of the dele
gates to your way of thinking, we
will support Sherman with the ut
most heartiness. am not sure
about his being a good candidate
hut am sure he would maka a splendid
President" He went on to say that the
Tribune would support Ben Harrison with
great pleasure, or Gresham, or Allison.
Phil Sheridan was mentioned, and he said
he had not heard him talked of much, but
knew him TO be q spledid Republican and
he had the greatest admiration both for
his public and personal character, and if
he was nominated, would support him
with enthusiasm. i thought l had got
about enough, and started to leave
whin he said Hold on, now,
l want to say one thing more. want to
tell you further that if we united fully
with you and with all your friends in an
effort to nominate any OF these men you
have named, and the convention should be
held within month, the whole lot Of us,
with all the power we could bring to bear,
could not prevent the nomination of Mr..
Blaine on the first ballot by acclamatiOn. :"